ENGLISH

Language and communication is at the heart of what it means to be a human being. If students can use language accurately and with confidence then a world of opportunity is opened up to them.

We have developed an English curriculum that we hope students will find exciting, challenging and liberating. Our curriculum will develop students who are well read and knowledgeable about language but also skilled in debate and discussion about their ideas and attitudes. We aim to achieve a balance of structure and skills to give support while offering opportunities for developing creativity and individuality.

Preparation is key to our curriculum with students doing the groundwork for success at IGCSE, the IB diploma and higher education while opening up pathways leading to lifelong learning by developing a love of language and literature. We will also be adopting a cross-curricular approach linking themes and activities with History, Drama. Art and other subjects.

Key Stage Three English uses three lesson formats a week:

Theme: Ongoing units and topics usually centered around a key text, theme or skill from English, featuring close reading and analysis of texts and genres, study of social and historical context and development of writing skills (3 lessons per week);
Knowledge About Language lessons which develop students awareness and use of topics such as grammar, punctuation, sentences structure, paragraphs and other areas (1 lesson per week);
Reading for Enjoyment or Writing for Enjoyment: working with our librarian to select and read suitable texts, following Nord Anglia’s Global Library program, preparing for the Battle of the Books and other reading related events (1 lesson every two weeks), using journals and writing stimuli to develop a personal writing habits and related skills (1 lesson every fortnight).